Garay, Antonio

A 6'4", 290 pound defensive lineman, Garay (his mother is Jewish) is a member of the Cleveland Browns during the 2004 season (his second in the NFL). On August 31, 2004, Garay was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list. Cleveland finished the regular season with a record of 4-12 and in fourth place in the AFC Central.

A second team All-Big East selection in 2001, Garay was a two-sport star at Boston College. The captain of football team in 2002. he was also an All-America wrestler who finished fourth in the heavyweight division at the 2000 NCAA Championships.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. November 30, 1979

Career Highlights:
Garay began his football career at Boston College in 1998. That year, he registered 19 tackles as a true freshman as BC finished the season with a record of 4-7. The following year, Antonio appeared in all 11 games, including three starts, and recorded 61 tackles as BC finished 8-3 and played in the Insight.com Bowl against Colorado.

Entering the 2000 season, Garay was named by many publications as a preseason Big East selection. Unfortunately, Garay suffered a season-ending injury on the first defensive series in the season-opener against West Virginia. Red-shirted, he came back strong in 2001 and was named second team All-Big East as he recorded 57 tackles, nine for loss, and five sacks. He was injured again, however, and missed the final four games of the season (including the bowl game) with a neck injury. BC finished the year 8-4 and ranked No. 21 by AP after they defeated Georgia in the Music City Bowl, 20-16.

In 2002, Garay was a team captain and expected to be an impact player in the Big East. Unfortunately, he broke his left ankle on October 10 against Virginia Tech. A right end, he had nine tackles, including two sacks, in the first half before he left the game. Through the first five games of the season, Antonio was first on the team in sacks (three) and tackles for loss (seven), and third in total tackles (34). He missed the rest of the season. BC ended the year with a record of 8-4 (3-4 in the Big East) on the season and defeated Toledo in the Motor City Bowl. Garay was considered one of the most athletic defensive linemen in the country, but constant injury problems caused him to drop to the sixth round in the NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Cleveland Browns (195th pick overall).

On August 2, 2003, Antonio signed a five-year deal with the Browns, who finished the 2003 season with a record of 5-11 and in fourth place in the AFC North. Garay appeared in two games and had four total tackles (two solo and two assisted).

Origin:
Rahway, New Jersey

Career Dates:
Garay played for Boston College from 1998-2002. In 2003, he was signed by the NFL's Cleveland Browns.

Physical description:
6'4", 290 pounds

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